VOLUNTEERS are needed to help keep up morale at the British Heart Foundation’s first Harewood House Half Marathon.

Organisers are looking for people to help keep runners hydrated by manning drinks stations as well as raising flagging spirits by cheering competitors on.

The event, on Sunday, February 8, is filling up fast with more than 700 people already signed up and raring to go.

Now volunteers can also do their bit to make the run a success.

Helen Wright, regional event organiser for the BHF said: “Volunteering at an event is a great way of supporting the charity as well as your local community.

“The atmosphere is guaranteed to be fantastic and you will be playing an important part in fighting back against coronary heart disease – the UK’s single biggest killer.

“We are extremely grateful to all our volunteers who help us set up and run events like the Harewood House Half Marathon. “Without their help it would be very difficult and costly for the BHF to run our events, taking from vital funds necessary to help us find a breakthrough to put an end to heart disease and the misery it brings.” The event is new for 2015 and will see runners starting in front of Harewood House for the the 13.1 mile route, which will take participants around the grounds of the estate.

Runners will test themselves over the muddy off-road tracks and steep forest inclines within the stunning grounds of Yorkshire’s historic house.

Visit bhf.org.uk/harewood or email events@bhf.org.uk for more information or to register yourself as a volunteer or a runner.

The event has an entry fee of £23.

Coronary heart disease is the UK’s single biggest killer.

BHF has pioneered research for more than 50 years to transform the lives of people living with heart and circulatory conditions.

BHF also uses it vital resources to work hard to protect heart health and fight for better services for heart patients.